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Daniel F. Wheeler

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Parks, Recreation and Open Space

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Whether you are a child or an adult, Lake Crabtree has a program for you! All scheduled programs have space limitations and, therefore, require registration prior to the program. Please download a copy of our Registration Form or call 919-460-3355 to receive one by mail or fax, or for more information.

Family Programs(Everyone welcome)Preregistration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted.

Birding with Vernon1st Saturday of each month (unless otherwise stated), 8:30–10 a.m.March 7, April 4FREE; No preregistration requiredMeet at the Waterwise Garden (first parking lot on right)Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats.

Crabtree Casters1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, beginning on April 1Whether you already enjoy fishing or would like to learn how to fish, this program is for you! Join park staff for an informal fishing experience for the whole family. Bring your own poles or borrow one of ours through the Tackle Loaner Program. Bait and basic instruction are provided. All participants 16 years and older must have a valid NC fishing license to participate. Fishing is catch and release only. All children must be accompanied by an adult. If the accompanying adult does not have a license, kids can be covered by the instructor's fishing license.

Toadally Awesome AmphibiansSaturday, March 28, 10 a.m.–noon$3/person or $5/familyAfter the first week of spring, but before the April showers start, we're hoping to catch some sleepy salamanders. This program will investigate the park's amphibian habitats, show you how to create your own, and teach about the important ecological roles amphibians and the vernal pools they inhabit play.

Early BloomersSunday, March 29, 1–3 p.m.$3/person or $5/familyJoin park staff for a hike in search of early spring wildflowers. Discover the folklore of some of our species, and learn how to identify them. Bring field guides and cameras, if desired.

What's That Invasive?Monday, April 6, 6:30–7:30 p.m.FREE, in honor of NC Invasive Species Awareness WeekLove plants or gardening? Come to Lake Crabtree to learn how to identify local invasive plant species that you may find in your garden or backyard. We will also teach you about some native plants that make great alternatives! Come and see the invasive plants up close and personal (no hiking required!). Children and adults are welcome.

Weed Warrior Basic TrainingSaturday, April 11, 10 a.m.–noonFREE, in honor of NC Invasive Species Awareness WeekInvasive species are taking over and we need your help in the war against them. We'll teach you to identify and control them, as well as how to prevent any more from invading. Stick around for a volunteer opportunity at 1 p.m. to help us control some of the park's invasives and experience firsthand why prevention is so important.Ages 12 and up.

Kick Some GrassSaturday, April 11, 1–3 p.m.FREE, in honor of NC Invasive Species Awareness WeekWe are under attack! Invasive species are hiding everywhere, so join our ranks in the Weed Warriors and fight back. We'll spend the afternoon bringing some of the park’s invasive species under control. Come by early to learn how to stop them before they get started at our 10 a.m. program Ages 12 and up.

Springtime SafariSunday, May 10, 1–3 p.m.$3/person or $5/familyJoin park staff on a trek around the park in search of flowers, insects, birds and more. Spend Mother's Day enjoying the signs of spring and discover the beauty of the season. Each participant will have the opportunity to create a bouquet of flowers to give to Mom or that special someone.

Sunset Canoe TripFriday, May 15, 7–9 p.m.$5/person or $10/canoe(canoe can hold 2 adults and 1 child maximum)Join park staff for an evening paddle on the lake. We'll look for animals active at dusk, learn basic paddling techniques, and see the park from a new perspective. Ages 5 and up. Participants are encouraged to bring drinking water and wear sunscreen.

Critter Trivia (Family Edition)Saturday, June 27, 3–5 p.m.$5/familyTest your animal knowledge while you explore various habitats around Lake Crabtree. Teams will compete for prizes while discovering more about the wildlife found in the North Carolina Piedmont.

Spider SniffingSaturday, June 27, 8–10 p.m.$3/person or $5/familyDo you have a nose for nature? Bring it, a flashlight, and your night vision for a hike around the Old Beech Nature Trail. Meet with park staff at dusk to learn what those bumps in the night really are and discover the secret art of "spider-sniffing."

Free Fishing DaySaturday, July 4, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.Meet at the Fishing Platform.No preregistration required.In celebration of Independence Day, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has declared July 4 to be Free Fishing Day. From 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., everyone in North Carolina—residents and non-residents alike—can fish in any public body of water without a fishing license. This, of course, includes Lake Crabtree, though keep in mind fishing at the lake is catch-and-release only. Park staff will have poles for you to borrow at our fishing platform and will be on hand to provide basic instruction if you need it, as well as teaching you how to identify what you've caught.

Lake Trail HikeSaturday, May 9, 1–5 p.m.FREEOf the 16 miles of trails at Lake Crabtree, 6 of them are the loop that goes all the way around the lake. Come prepared with good walking shoes that can handle some mud. We will be taking our time exploring parts of the park that are often overlooked as well as identifying any interesting flora or fauna we encounter. Binoculars, field guides, snacks and water are recommended.

North Carolina Endangered Species Mini-WorkshopSaturday, May 9, 10 a.m.–noonFREEWe hear about global and national endangered species such as the elephant, the rhinoceros, the wolf or the California condor, but did you know there are endangered species in North Carolina? Come learn about local endangered species and what you can do to help. This workshop is designed for educators but is open to anyone wanting to learn more about extinction. Please bring a memory stick if you want take-home resources for Endangered Species Day, which occurs on May 15.

Critter Trivia (Adult Edition)Sunday, June 28, 2–4 p.m.$2/personCompete as a team or dare to go solo! Test your knowledge of North Carolina wildlife and the habitats of the Piedmont. Teams will compete for prizes and the title of "Ultimate Nature Nerd"!

Storytime for TotsDiscover nature, beginning with a story, followed by outdoor, hands-on nature exploration. Each program will end with a fun activity or craft to take home. Come prepared to actively participate with your child. First Wednesday of each month. Programs run from 1–2 p.m. at the Beech Shelter. Cost is $4 per child, or sign up for three programs for $10. Preregistration is required. Ages 2–5.

The Magic Soil BagWednesday, March 4Come get your hands dirty! We’ll learn about the earth under our feet, everything that lives in it, and the many different kinds of dirt there are. Discover how soil is made with the magic soil bag activity.

Step By Stepby Diane WolksteinWednesday, April 1The world is very big when you are very small! That doesn't stop a little ant from leaving home to visit her friend. Follow her journey and track down real ants around the park. We'll see how many different types of ants we can collect, and make an ant to take home.

Baby Bird's First Nestby Frank AschWednesday, May 6When Baby Bird falls out of her nest, a series of threats and choices follow. Will her new friend Little Frog help her reunite with her Mama Bird? We'll explore bird nests, how different bird beaks work, and end by making our own nest full of baby birds.

What Animal Did That?Wednesday, June 3Help solve a series of wildlife mysteries by becoming a nature detective. We'll investigate clues like tracks, scat, bones and more as we try to determine what animal's trail we are on. Participants will make a track to take home and learn more about animal signs.

Homeschool and Track-Out ProgramsThese programs are open to students 6–12 years old. Each lesson meets at the Beech Shelter, unless otherwise noted. Preregistration is required.

St. Plantrick's DayTuesday, March 17, 2–4 p.m.$8/childThis St. Patrick's Day, celebrate with something green...plants! Chloro-filled with hands-on activities, this program will teach how plants adapt to different environments and why they're the most important lifeforms on Earth.

Weather-ologyTuesday, April 28, 1–3 p.m.The science of weather is actually called meteorology, and this program will investigate the basics of it: what causes the weather, how meteorologists study it, and why it's important that they do! Students will also have the chance to play Lake Crabtree's Hurricane Game, a strategy board game about hurricanes and severe weather preparedness.

Alien InvadersMonday, May 11, 1–3 p.m.Don't look now, but we're surrounded! Strange animals and plants have invaded and they've thrown the environment out of balance. Learn about species that have become a problem in North Carolina and what you can do to help.

BeezzzMonday, June 29, 1–3 p.m.If you miss out on Lake Crabtree's Pollinator Festival, or just want a more focused look at bees, this is the program for you! We'll discuss bee conservation, the wide range of bee species, and the differences between them. Come learn how to make your yard or garden friendly to these important pollinators, and how to build houses for native bees.

Big SweepSaturday, April 4, 9 a.m.–noonJoin volunteers around the globe and help clean the world's waterways. Teams will pick up trash along the shore of Lake Crabtree and its connecting creeks. Gloves, bags and other supplies are provided by the park. We'll raffle off prizes and learn why it's important to educate others about litter. Individuals and groups are welcome. Make a difference in your community! Preregistration is required. Call 919-460-2723 to sign up.

Pollinator Festival

Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

June 15–21 is National Pollinator Week. Lake Crabtree is excited to host its third annual Pollinator Festival, featuring games, crafts and all sorts of other activities celebrating everything that pollinators do for us and the rest of the planet. There'll be prizes and other cool stuff for you to take home. This event is free and does not require preregistration. Show up any time for some family fun.(back to top)